Loading dock shelter with a rotatable seal

ABSTRACT

A loading dock shelter having rotating seal members is provided for forming a relatively air-tight seal between the dock opening and a truck so as to prevent air movement between the inside and the outside of the building during loading and unloading operations. The loading dock shelter has a frame assembly rigidly attached to the periphery of the dock opening and seal members rotatably mounted to the frame assembly on either side of the dock opening so that the truck may fit therebetween and form a seal between the exterior walls of the truck and the seal member. The seal members are rotatably movable between a first (open) position and a second (sealing) position in response to the movement of the truck into and out of the loading dock. In the first position, the seal members project into the path of the truck so that the truck engages the seal members as it backs into the loading dock. After the truck initially engages the seal members, the continued rearward movement of the truck rotates the seal members from the open position to the sealing position wherein the seal members are then compressed against the exterior walls of the truck so as to prevent interference with the loading and/or unloading of the truck. A curtain, pivotally suspended from the top of the frame, is also provided for sealing any gap that may exist between the top of the truck and the frame assembly.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/996,669, filed on Dec.24, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,846.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to loading dock shelters andmore particularly to a deformable, resilient seal for a loading dockshelter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Trucks are typically backed into or in close proximity to a loading dockor other opening in the building to facilitate loading and unloading ofthe vehicle. Since the width of the dock opening is typically largerthan truck width so that vehicles of different sizes can be readilyserviced, a gap is formed between the loading dock walls and the vehiclewhich exposes the interior of the building to the outside weather andpermits air to flow into or out of the building. Attempts to seal theinterior of the building from the outside environment have includedloading dock shelters which utilize fabric or sheet material to formwalls or curtains between the opening and the truck and loading dockseals which utilize resilient, compressible pad members, generallydisposed at the lateral and top edges of the opening, to sealably engagethe walls or rear edges of the truck.

Unfortunately, many typical loading dock seals and shelters have severaldisadvantages. Since the dock seals must be disposed so that theyoverlap or extend into the truck's doorway to ensure that the rear edgesof the truck engage the compressible pad members, they have reduced thesize of the passageway, limiting access into the truck and generallyinhibiting loading and unloading of the truck. The compressible padsalso require the truck to exert considerable force on the pad in orderto obtain the proper sealing engagement, increasing abrasion and wear onthe seal and curtain materials, particularly where the rear corners andedges of the truck rub against the material. Attempts to protect againstsuch abrasion and wear including, for example, reinforcing the materialswith several layers have been largely unsatisfactory because, althoughthey increase or prolong the wear resistance of the material, they havethe inherent disadvantage of increasing cost. Since many loading dockshave non-horizontal, angled or tilted driveway grades, many loading dockshelters must be individually manufactured in order to accommodate suchgrades and maintain the proper perpendicular orientation between thetruck walls and the seals. This increases manufacturing and installationcosts. Although it is desirable to seal the truck and opening to preventthe escape of heated or air conditioned air during inclement weather, itis undesirable to do so during mild weather. Unfortunately, the pads andthe frame of the shelter, typically disposed along the periphery of theopening, can not be removed or adjusted to unseal the opening.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved seal fora loading dock shelter.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a deformableloading dock seal which conforms closely to the outer periphery of thetruck, resulting in minimal obstruction of the truck opening duringloading or unloading.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and uniqueloading dock shelter which effectively minimizes abrasion and wear ofthe seal by the truck.

Still another object of the present invention to provide a loading dockshelter rotatably supporting the seals while maintaining an effectiveseal with the truck.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a seal having arelatively flexible outer portion for engaging the truck and arelatively rigid inner portion for providing structural support.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a loading dockshelter having a seal whose vertical orientation may be selectivelyadjusted in order to accommodate the different non-horizontal gradesfound in many loading docks.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a loadingdock shelter which may be selectively adjusted to provide outsideventilation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved seal foruse in a loading dock shelter which functions in an efficient andpractical manner, is easily and economically fabricated, and is adaptedfor operation with vehicles of various widths and heights.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a loading dockshelter having a rotating seal member is provided for forming arelatively air-tight seal between the dock opening and the truck toprevent the movement of air between the inside and outside of thebuilding during the loading and unloading operation. Seal members arerotatably mounted on each side of the dock opening so the truck may fittherebetween and a seal may be formed preferably between the exteriorwalls of the truck and the seal member when the truck is parked adjacentthe loading dock for loading/unloading. In order to seal the gap formedbetween the top of the truck and the top of the dock opening, a curtainmember is pivotally attached subjacent the top of the opening forengaging the top of the truck.

The seal members are rotatably mounted for rotation between a first(open) position and a second (sealing) position in response to themovement of the truck into and out of the loading dock. In the firstposition, the seal member is spaced outwardly from the wall and theloading dock so that it does not interfere with the normal operation ofthe loading dock. The seal member also projects into the path of thetruck so that the rear edges of the truck engage the seal members as thetruck backs into the loading dock. After the truck initially engages theseal member, the rearward movement of the truck rotates the seal membersfrom the first position to the sealing position. In the sealingposition, the seal member is compressed against the outer wall of thetruck so that it does not block or otherwise interfere with the normalloading/unloading of the truck and loading dock.

The outer periphery of the seal member has a face portion adapted tosealably engage the truck walls and provide a relatively air-tight sealtherebetween. In the preferred embodiment, the seal member has acircular segment cross section (when viewed in the top plan view) formedby a semi-circular face portion adapted to engage the truck wall, twoside walls, and a bore for receiving a support bar which rotatablysupports the seal member in a substantially vertical orientation. Theface portion has a relatively semi-circular surface which projects intothe path of the truck backing into the loading dock. Each end of thesupport bar is rotatably mounted to conventional bearings.

In order to increase the flexibility and compressibility of the outerperipheral portion of the seal member which must be capable ofresiliently compressing against the truck walls, without damaging theseal member or the truck walls, the seal member has a plurality of thebores which preferably extend through substantially the entire verticallength of the outer portion. The bores permit the outer portion of theseal to be resiliently compressed by the truck without damaging theinner portion and while maintaining the rigidity of the inner portionwhich must be supported by the support bar.

The loading dock shelter also has means for selectively adjusting thevertical orientation of the seal members so that they may be readily andquickly adjusted in order to accommodate the angled or tilted gradespresent in many loading docks. In the preferred embodiment, theadjusting means comprises a bracket mounted at either end of the supportbar for slidably receiving the bearing supporting the support bar. Thetop and bottom ends of the support bar may be independently and slidablyadjusted, thereby selectively adjusting the angular orientation of thesupport bar from a vertical position.

In accordance with another object of the invention, the present loadingdock shelter and rotating seal may be adjusted to provide outsideventilation in mild weather. The frame assembly comprises an interiorframe lattice and a removable outer shell which encloses and seals theouter portion of the frame lattice during inclement weather. The framelattice has a plurality of support members which support the seal memberabout the periphery of the door opening and which permit theinfiltration and flow of air through the lattice between the buildinginterior and the outside environment when the outer shell in removed. Inorder to prevent such air flow, the outer shell may be selectivelyattached to the frame lattice.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be morereadily apparent upon reading the following description of a preferredexemplified embodiment of the invention and upon reference to theaccompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a loading dock shelter having rotatableseal members in accordance with the present invention having the severalsections of the outer shell cut-away to illustrate the internalsupporting frame lattice;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the loading dock shelter;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the loading dock shelter and atruck parked therein;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the loading dock shelter and atruck parked therein on a tilted driveway;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the loading dock illustrating the sealmember in a first position receiving a truck into the loading dock;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the loading dock and a truck parked thereinillustrating the seal members in a second (sealing) position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged top plan view of the seal shown in FIG. 5 havingthe outer shell cut-away to illustrate the internal structure of theseal member;

FIG. 7a is a cross-sectional view of the seal member taken along line7a--7a in FIG. 7 showing the seal member pivotally mounted in a bearinghousing;

FIG. 7b is a cross-sectional view of the seal member taken along line7b--7b in FIG. 7 showing the seal member slidably mounted in a bracket;

FIGS. 8-10 are alternative embodiments of the seal member;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the interior frame;and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged top plan view of the spring means for rotatingthe seal member from the second position to the first position.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of theinventive loading dock shelter.

While the invention will be described and disclosed in connection withcertain preferred embodiments and procedures, it is not intended tolimit the invention to those specific embodiments. Rather it is intendedto cover all such alternative embodiments and modifications as fallwithin the spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, oneembodiment of a loading dock shelter 10 in accordance with the presentinvention is mounted adjacent a conventional loading dock D normallyprovided in warehouses, truck terminals, manufacturing plants and thelike where raw materials and products are received and/or dispatched bytrucks T.

The conventional loading dock D normally has a dock opening O in abuilding wall B and a horizontal surface or deck S over which loadingequipment such as forklift trucks and the like and dock personnelmaneuver during the loading and unloading operation. The dock D may beprovided with a leveler assembly (not shown) which is adapted tocompensate for height differentials between the deck S and the uppersupporting surface of the truck bed. The leveler assembly is customarilydisposed within a pit (not shown) subjacent the deck S of the dock D andis well known in the art. In addition, the dock D normally includes avertical wall V or surface against which the rear end of the truck Tabuts during the loading and unloading operations. The surface V may beprovided with suitable bumpers or fenders (not shown) which are engagedby the rear of the truck T thereby preventing damage or defacement ofeither the dock D or the truck T when the truck T is backing intoposition. The loading dock shelter 10 is intended to effectively andreadily provide a substantially air-tight seal between the dock openingO and the truck T to prevent the movement of air between the inside andoutside of the building B during the loading and unloading operation.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the loading dock shelter 10comprises a frame assembly 12 rigidly attached to the periphery of thedock opening O, seal members 14 rotatably mounted to the frame assembly12 on each side of the dock opening O, and a curtain member 16 pivotallyattached to the top of the frame assembly 12 to seal the gap formedbetween the top of the truck T and the frame assembly 12.

The frame assembly 12 comprises a header frame 12a disposed along thetop of the dock opening O and two side frames 12b projecting downwardlyfrom the ends of the header frame 12a along the lateral edges of theopening O. The frame assembly 12 may be secured to the wall B bysuitable means such as bolts or the frame assembly 12 may befree-standing or self-supporting on the ground. The frame assembly 12extends outwardly from the wall B for providing a rigid structurecapable of the supporting either the seal member 14, the curtain 16, orboth in a spaced relation from the wall B. Thus, unlike manyconventional loading dock seals and shelters, it is not necessary thatthe loading dock shelter 10, the seal members 14 or the curtain 16project into the dock D or truck openings, thereby minimizing oreliminating any interference with the loading/unloading operation.

The seal members 14 are rotatably mounted along the lateral sides of thedoor opening O so that the truck T may fit therebetween and a seal maybe formed between the respective sides of the truck T and the sealmember 14 when the truck T is parked adjacent the loading dock D forloading/unloading. Although the embodiments illustrate two seal members14 disposed on either side of the dock opening O, it will be appreciatedthat in other embodiments only one seal member 14 may be utilized or aseal member 14 may be disposed in a substantially horizontal orientationat the top of the frame assembly 12a so as to sealably engage the top ofthe truck T as shown in FIG. 13.

The seal members 14 rotate between a first, open position (as shown inFIG. 5) and a second, closed or sealing position (as shown in FIG. 6) inresponse to the movement of the truck T into and out of the loading dockD. In the first position shown in FIG. 5, not only are the seal members14 spaced outwardly from the wall and the loading dock D so as not tointerfere with the normal operation of the loading dock D but they alsoproject into the path of the truck T so that the side walls and rearedge of the truck may engage the seal members 14 as the truck backs intothe loading dock as shown in FIG. 5. After the truck T initially engagesthe seal members 14, the rearward movement T of the truck rotates theseal members 14 from the first position to the sealing position as shownin FIG. 6. In the sealing position, the seal member 14 is compressedagainst the outer wall of the truck T so that it does not block orotherwise interfere with the normal loading/unloading of the truck T andloading dock D unlike many conventional seals. In the illustratedembodiments, the seal members 14 engage the exterior walls of the truckT and the rear doors R of the truck T open inwardly toward the buildingas shown in FIG. 6 or slide up into the top of the truck T. In othertrucks in which the rear doors open by rotating outwardly so that theyare adjacent to the exterior walls, the seal members 14 may engage thetruck doors instead of the truck walls.

Means is provided for rotating the seal members 14 from the sealingposition to the first position after the truck T leaves the loading dockD so that the loading dock shelter 10 is ready to receive the nextincoming truck T. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, the rotatingmeans comprises a spring means 33 having one end 33a fixedly attached tothe frame assembly 12b and a second end 33b. As shown in FIG. 12, theseal member 14 has a stop member 14a which rotates the second end 33b ofthe spring means 33 about the support bar 26. The spring means 33 isbiased to rotate the seal member 14 from the sealing position to thefirst position after the truck T exits the loading dock D.

Although the seal member 14 may be configured in any desired shape andsize, the seal member 25 preferably has a face portion 20 disposed onits outer periphery which is adapted to sealably engage the truck wallsand provide a relatively air-tight seal therebetween. It is alsopreferable that the length of the seal member 14 be sufficient to engageand seal substantially the entire length of the truck walls. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, the seal member 14 has a circularsegmented section (when viewed in the top plan view) formed by asemi-circular outer face portion 20 adapted to engage the truck wall,two side walls 21, 22, and a bore 24 for receiving a support bar 26which rotatably supports the seal member 14 in a substantially verticalorientation. The face portion 20 has a relatively semi-circular shapewhich projects into the path of the truck backing into the loading dockD for engaging the truck walls and for forming a substantially air-tightseal therebetween.

The support bar 26 rotatably supports the seal member 14 for movementbetween the first position (shown in FIG. 5) and the second sealingposition (shown in FIG. 6). The support bar 26 is generally disposed inthe corner 23 formed by the two side walls 21, 22 for permitting maximumrotation of the seal member 14 about the axis formed through the supportbar 26. In the first position, the first side wall 21 is disposed sothat it would be generally parallel to the axis of the truck T parked inthe loading dock D. The angle formed between the first side wall 21 andthe second side wall 22 may vary as long there is sufficient clearancefor the seal member 14 to rotate to the sealing position. Although inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 the rotation of the seal member 14is limited by the frame assembly 12 and is capable of rotating less than180 degrees, the loading dock shelter 10 and the seal member 14 may bedesigned so that the seal member 14 rotates 360 degrees if desired ornecessary to obtain a sufficient seal.

Any suitable means may be utilized to rotatably support the support bar26 and the seal member 14 for rotation. In the illustrated embodiment,each end of the support bar 26 is rotatably mounted in a conventionalbearing generally depicted at 30. The bearing 30 is preferably attachedto the frame assembly 12 although it will be appreciated that they mayalso be attached to the building wall B instead of the frame assembly 12or other arm-like structure which can pivot the seal member 14 into orout of alignment with the rearward path of the truck T.

The outer portion 32 of the seal member 14 which engages the truck Tmust be capable of resiliently compressing against the truck T withoutdamaging the seal member 14 or the truck walls whereas the inner portion34 of the seal member 14 must be sufficiently rigid so that the sealmember 14 will maintain its structural integrity when supported by thesupport bar 26. The seal member 14 is preferably made of a resilient andcompressible material such as, for example, urethane foam covered by awear-resistant material. In one embodiment, in order to increase theflexibility and compressibility of the outer portion 32 of the sealmember 14 while maintaining the structural rigidity of the inner radialportion 34, the outer portion 32 of the seal member 14 may have aplurality of the bores 36 which may extend through substantially itsentire length or along portions thereof as desired. The bores 36 permitthe outer portion 32 of the seal member 14 to be resiliently compressedby the truck T without damaging the inner portion 34. In the illustratedembodiment, the bores 36 have an elliptical cross-section but othershapes including, for example, circular or rectangular cross sectionsmay be used as long as they increase the flexibility and compressibilityof the outer portion 32 of the seal member 14. In another embodiment,different materials may be used for the inner and outer portions 32, 34of the seal member in order to obtain the desired rigidity for the innerradial portion 34 and flexibility for the outer portion 32.

In accordance with another object of the invention, means is providedfor selectively adjusting the vertical orientation of the seal members14 so that they may be readily and quickly adjusted in order toaccommodate the angled or tilted grades present in many loading docks Dunlike conventional loading dock shelters which must be individuallydesigned and sized to accommodate the angled grades or driveways. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, the adjusting means comprises abracket 38 mounted at either end of the support bar 26. Each bracket 38has a slot 38a for slidably receiving the bearing 30 supporting thesupport bar 26. The top and bottom ends of the support bar 26 may beindependently adjusted, thereby selectively adjusting the orientation ofthe support bar 26 from a vertical position. In FIG. 3, the support bar26 and the axis formed through the support bar 26 is shown in asubstantially vertical orientation to accommodate a level grade. In FIG.4, the support bar 26 and the axis has been rotated in acounterclockwise direction from the vertical position to accommodate anupward grade. The support bar 26 and axis may be similarly adjusted toaccommodate downward grades. Means other than the bracket 38 may beutilized to permit the seal member 14 to be adjusted in the verticalorientation.

In order to seal the gap formed between the top of the truck T and theframe assembly 12, a generally T-shaped header curtain 16 is suspendedfrom the frame assembly 12 as shown in FIG. 2. The curtain 16 is made ofa relatively flexible material such as an industrial coated fabric, avinyl-coated nylon, or a foam filled cover which engages and seals thegaps between the frame assembly 12, the rotating seal members 14, andthe top of the truck T. The upper portion 16a of the curtain 16 isdisposed along the length of the header frame 12a in order to seal anygaps between the rotating seal members 14 and the header frame 12a. Thelower portion 16b of the curtain 16 projects downwardly from the upperportion 16a and is adapted to seal the gaps between the rotating sealmembers 14 and the top of the truck T. In order to seal any gaps thatmay form between the seal member 14, the curtain 16, and the frameassembly 12, any suitable weather seal may be used.

In order to operate the loading dock shelter 10 having rotating sealmembers 14, the truck T backs into the loading dock D in a conventionalmanner. The seal member 14 is initially in the first position asillustrated in FIG. 5 so that it projects into the rearward path of thetruck T. The rear edges of the truck initially engage the face portion20 disposed at the outer periphery of the seal member 14 and compressthe outer portion 32 of the seal member 14. The rearward movement of thetruck T rotates the seal member 14 from the first position to the secondsealing position illustrated in FIG. 6 so that a substantially air-tightseal is created between the seal member 14 and the truck walls. Sincethe seal member 14 rotates in response to the rearward movement of thetruck, abrasion and wear caused by the truck T rubbing against the sealmember 14 is minimized or eliminated. Since the seal member 14 engagesthe exterior walls of the truck T, the seal member 14 does not projectinto the door opening O or the truck opening and does not interfere withthe loading/unloading operation. When the loading operation iscompleted, the truck T drives out of the loading dock D and the springmeans 33 rotates the seal member 14 from the second position (FIG. 6) tothe first position (FIG. 5) for the next truck T.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate other embodiments of the seal member in accordancewith the present invention. FIG. 8 illustrates a seal member 100 havinga circular cross-section (when viewed in top plan view) which iseccentrically mounted on the support bar 26. The broken lines illustratethe first position of the seal member 100. It will be seen that the sealmember 100 projects into the path of the truck T. The solidcross-hatched lines illustrate the seal member 100 in the sealingposition wherein the face portion 102 of the seal member 100 isresiliently compressed against the truck walls. Mounting the support bar26 off-center positions the seal member 100 further into the path of thetruck T and creates a greater compression force and tighter seal betweenthe seal member 14 and the truck wall. It is preferable that the outerportion 100a of the seal member 100 be more flexible and compressiblethan the relatively rigid inner portion 100b in order to obtain thesufficient sealing engagement with the truck walls. The outer peripheralportion 100a of the seal member 100 may also have the bores (not shown)therethrough to provide the requisite flexibility and compressibility.

FIG. 9 illustrates a seal member 110 having a generally ellipticalcross-section (when viewed in the top plan view). The broken linesillustrate the first position of the seal member 110 and the solid crosshatched illustrate the sealing position. In the illustrated embodiment,the seal member 110 has a smaller radius in the rear portion 112 and alarger radius in the front portion 114. The rear portion 112 of theelliptical seal member 110 projects into the path of the truck T in thefirst position so that the incoming truck engages the rear portion 112and rotates the seal member 110 into the second (sealing) position.Since the front portion 114 has a larger radius than the rear portion112, a larger compression or sealing force is created on the truck wall.Typically, the smaller rear portion 112 will not project into the dock Dand truck openings as much as the front portion 114, thereby minimizingany interference with the loading/unloading operation. It is preferablethat the outer portion 110a of the seal member 110 which engages thetruck be more flexible and compressible than the relatively rigid innerportion 110b in order to obtain the sufficient sealing engagement withthe truck walls.

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the seal member 120 havingfirst and second arms 122, 124 forming a generally V-shapedcross-section. The broken lines illustrate the seal member 120 in thefirst position and the solid cross hatched lines illustrate the sealmember 120 in the sealing position. The first arm 122, which is shorterthan the second arm 124 in the illustrated embodiment, projects into thepath of the incoming truck T. After the truck T engages the first arm122, the seal member 120 is rotated so that a relatively air-tight sealis formed between the seal member 120 and the truck walls.

In accordance with another object of the invention, the present loadingdock shelter 10 and rotating seal 14 may be adjusted to provide outsideventilation in mild weather unlike many conventional dock seals whichform a seal with the truck which cannot be readily adjusted. The frameassembly 12 comprises an interior frame lattice 40 and a removable outershell 42 for enclosing and sealing the outer portion of the framelattice 40 during inclement weather. The frame lattice 40 may have anystructure which is capable of rotatably supporting the seal member 14about the periphery of the door opening O and which will permit movementof air between the building interior and the outside environment. In theembodiment best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 11, the side frames 12bcomprise a plurality of vertical support members 44 and lateralreinforcing members 46 and the header frame 12a comprises a plurality ofhorizontal support members 48 and lateral reinforcing members 50. Itwill be appreciated that the interior frame lattice 40 will permit themovement of air between the inside and outside of the building. In orderto prevent such air flow, the outer shell 42, may be attached to theframe lattice 40 using snap-buttons, zippers or any other conventionalmeans so that the shell 42 may be selectively removed during mildweather. The outer shell may be made of any material adapted to enclosethe interior frame lattice, including, for example, insulatingmaterials, vinyl fabrics, fiber glass, plastic, or sheet metal. Ascreen-like outer shell may also be utilized if desired. The combinationof the header frame 12a and outer shell 42 form an integral hood section52 to shield the dock opening O from rain, snow and other inclementweather, unlike many typical loading dock shelters which utilize aseparate header frame and hood.

We claim as our invention:
 1. A loading dock shelter for use with atruck parked adjacent a dock opening in a building wall, the dockopening having two opposing lateral sides and a top side, the loadingdock shelter comprising:at least one unitary seal member rotatablymounted at the top side of the dock opening for movement about an axisbetween first and second positions in response to movement of the truckwherein the seal member projects into the path of the incoming truck inthe first position and the seal member is adapted to engage the toppanel of the truck for forming a substantially air-tight seal betweenthe truck and the opening in the second position, the seal member havingan outer portion for resiliently and compressibly engaging the top panelof the truck for forming the air-tight seal and a rigid inner portionmade from a material that is more rigid than the outer portion.
 2. Theloading dock shelter as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rigid innerportion is capable of supporting the seal member for movement about theaxis and the flexible outer portion permits the seal member to beresiliently compressed against the truck.
 3. The loading dock shelter asset forth in claim 2 wherein the flexible outer portion has a pluralityof bores for permitting the seal member to be resiliently compressedagainst the truck.
 4. The loading dock shelter as set forth in claim 3wherein the bore has an elliptical cross section.
 5. The loading dockshelter as set forth in claim 2 comprising at least one seal memberdisposed on one of the lateral sides of the opening to engage one of thesides of the truck.
 6. The loading dock shelter as set forth in claim 5comprising another seal member disposed on the other lateral side of theopening to engage the other side of the truck therebetween.
 7. Theloading dock shelter as set forth in claim 2 comprising a frame assemblyattached to the wall about the periphery of the door opening forrotatably supporting the seal member for movement between the first andsecond positions.
 8. A loading dock shelter adjacent a dock opening in abuilding wall, the loading dock shelter comprising:at least one sealmember rotatably mounted at the periphery of the dock opening forrotatable movement between first and second positions, the at least oneseal member having a rigid inner portion for supporting the seal memberand a flexible outer portion, the seal member being mounted forprojecting at least partially into the path of an incoming truck in thefirst position, and for resiliently and compressibly engaging a panel ofthe truck to form a substantially air-tight seal in the second position,and means for adjusting the vertical orientation of the at least oneseal member.
 9. The loading dock shelter as set forth in claim 8 whereinthe flexible outer portion has a plurality of bores for permitting theseal member to be resiliently compressed against the track.
 10. Theloading dock shelter as set forth in claim 9 wherein the bores have anelliptical cross section.
 11. The loading dock shelter as set forth inclaim 8 wherein the at least one seal member is disposed on a side ofthe opening to engage a side of the truck.
 12. The loading dock shelteras set forth in claim 8 wherein the adjusting means comprises a bracketmounted to adjustably receive an end of the at least one seal member sothat the position of the received end can be selectively adjusted tovary the orientation of the seal member.
 13. The loading dock shelter asset forth in claim 12 wherein the end of the at least one seal memberreceived by the bracket is slidable relative to the bracket toselectively vary the orientation of the seal member.
 14. The loadingdock shelter as set forth in claim 12 wherein the adjusting meansfurther comprises a second bracket for slidably receiving a second endof the at least one seal member opposite the first end.